Chess Puzzle #4hBor — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; bishop c6; pawns a2/d7/e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king e7; knight e6; pawns a4/b4/d5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa4 — bishop c6→a4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d3→c2).
3. Best move: Nxa4 — knight c5→a4, captures bishop. Opponent replies d8=Q+ (pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxd8 — king e7→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/3Pkp1p/2B1n1p1/3p4/pp4P1/3KP2P/P4P2/8 w - - 0 42

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